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What Is Equitable Stroke Control?

 

Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the system put in place by the USGA to eliminate the effect of "disaster holes." You know, that one hole per round where you put three balls in the water and then 4-putt. It is also a way to combat those wicked sandbaggers who intentionally blow up on a hole in order to raise their handicaps.

 

Equitable Stroke Control puts a limit on the number of strokes you can write down on the scorecard (*) for any one hole, based on your course handicap. For example, on #1 you may have put one in the driving range, then topped another into the water hazard, pushed your 6th shot into the bunker, then take two to get out; now you?re lying eight on the fringe and manage to get down in three more for a nice ELEVEN! But based on your course handicap ESC may require that you post only an 8 for that hole, as your adjusted score.

 

Taking the eleven might throw your handicap index out of whack. And remember, the handicap index is not meant to reflect your average score, it?s meant to reflect YOUR BEST POTENTIAL.

 

An Equitable Stroke Control Table is displayed below and a copy has been posted along side the posting computer in the Pro Shop. Basically, and briefly, if your course handicap is between 10 and 19 the most you can take on a hole is 7, between 20 and 29 you can take an 8 and between 30 and 39 you can take a 9.

 

 

EQUITABLE STROKE CONTROL TABLE

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                                   Course Handicap       Maximum Number On Any Hole

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                                           9 or less         Double Bogey

                   10 thru 19         7

                   20 thru 29         8

                   30 thru 39         9

                   40 or more         10

 

 

   

(*) However, the "most that you can take" term  refers only to the score you will post on the computer. The scorecard, and score, that you turn in, for tournament purposes, includes the 11and any other "disaster holes" you might have run into that day.